Benedict Cumberbatch is moving forward with plans to finally bring Rogue man to the screen.
The actor confirmed that the adaptation is still happening and that he hopes to start filming in 2026, years after first announcing the project.
Cumberbatch and his company SunnyMarch revealed back in 2016 that they planned to adapt Geoffrey Household’s classic novel, but the film has yet to go into production.
Talking about SmartLess podcast with Sean Hayes, Jason Bateman and Will Arnett, Cumberbatch shared an update, saying, “We don’t have a shooting date yet, but it’s something we’re trying to plan for next year. We’ll definitely make it.”
The actor hinted that scheduling conflicts are a factor and joked about “other huge commitments involving capes floating around”, strongly hinting that he will return as Doctor Strange in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
First published in 1939, Rogue Male tells the story of an unnamed English hunter who attempts to assassinate a European dictator believed to be Adolf Hitler.
After being captured and tortured, he manages to escape back to England, only to be hunted by enemy agents and his own government.
Cumberbatch described the book as “the original refugee novel and a huge inspiration for Ian Fleming for Bond.”
He said that when he and his team first discussed adapting it, they questioned whether it was “a bit of a guy’s movie.” But as they dug deeper into the themes and the character’s journey, it became clear how relevant the story still feels today.
He explained that the thriller’s ideas of betrayal and politics are “fascinating how it plays into the political spectrum of what’s going on in the world right now.”
When the project was first revealed, writer Michael Lesslie was brought on board to write the script, and the film was set up at Fox Searchlight with Cumberbatch in the lead role.
The novel has been adapted before, including a 1977 BBC version starring Peter O’Toole and a 1940 film titled Manhunt.
